Life in the Fast Lane

Last Thursday was the last day of Mom and Dad Joyner's visit. They stayed long enough for me to take Anna to her six-month appointment. Anna was deemed perfectly healthy. She weighed 18 pounds and measured 28 inches long. The doctor said her height is off the charts and asked if she just had a growth spurt. I think she did! When I took her sandals off to be weighed, I found a hair wrapped tightly around one of her toes. I couldn't get it off so the doctor got his magnifying glasses and surgical tweezers to remove it. Dad and Mom left for NC after I got home from the doctor's.

I had contemplated taking the girls to the funeral visitation for Anna Price, but Lily was too tired and Anna had just had shots and Gavin was going to come over while Becky and the girls went to the funeral.

Gavin had fun on the Wii Sports Resort.

Friday I was exhausted and getting a cold. The day was spent with childcare and not much else. Emily and Steve came over Friday night to play Catan. We played the Fisherman of Catan scenario from the Traders and Barbarians expansion pack. 

Baby Keith and Anna playing together.
We were laughing about the slow-motion
fight over the toy between them.
It wasn't much of a fight because Keith couldn't reach it.

Saturday morning I was sick with a head cold so I couldn't go to the church work day. James worked the day shift on Saturday and the night shift on Sunday.

Lily said, "Hide!" then hid. She has lots of curls!

 Saturday evening while checking the mail I found a cactus in our front yard! I was suitably impressed but James was stoic. A cactus! In our front yard! Here is a picture to prove it. We didn't have weeds quite like that in North Carolina.

My garden is actually thriving with four tomatoes already growing in it! I mention this because it is miraculous. :-)

Sunday I couldn't decide whether I should go to church. I decided not to, got Lily ready, and then right before it was time for them to leave, I decided to go after all. I got ready in 10 minutes flat. We made it in time too! We came home from church and James left for work. The girls cooperated and took a nice afternoon nap.

Sunday night we were invited to the Smother's house to welcome Grandma Damewood who had just arrived for a visit from Minnesota. Grandma Damewood is Mom Bryan and Aunt Pam's Mother, James' Grandmother, and the girl's Great-Grandmother.

I was supposed to bring sliced cheese for sub sandwiches, and Grandma Bryan was kind enough to watch the girls for me after church so I could run to Walmart and get it. We had a fun time at the Smother's visiting and eating. There were lots and lots of darling children running around.

We got a picture of the children lined upon the couch to imitate the one taken years ago of the Bryan and Smothers children.

Here is the picture of the Smothers and Bryans years ago.

Here are the names of the children in the picture above: Left to right: Janine, John, Nate, James, Joel, Justin, Becky, and Stephen.

 The one above is the funniest picture - Ethan is being patient with Anna, Gavin doesn't have a head, Keith is making a really funny face, Micah seems worried about Gavin, and Lily looks like she is asleep.

This is the best picture - nine children!

Left to Right: Gavin, Micah, Ethan, Anna, Carlie, Kylie, Lily, Alyssa, and Keith.

James had Monday and Tuesday off of work. We slept in Monday and enjoyed the slow start to the day.

James put Anna on the playmat
and came back to find this!

James wanted to see Grandma Damewood because he had to work Sunday night, so we went over to Aunt Pam's in the early afternoon. We ended up staying until 6:30pm playing Catan and enjoying ourselves hugely.

We got to play a second game with five players
when Justin came home. Later Joel took my spot
when he came home.

Lily napped on the couch for hours
She even stayed asleep when her feet fell off
the side.

Lily loved the chickens so much!

Anna got to try out the playground with
Daddy's help on Monday afternoon

After leaving the Smothers', we had an hour before we were to leave for PCC's Fine Arts play, "The Importance of Being Earnest." After we pulled in I hit the ground running. In one short half hour we ate leftovers supper, folded and put away laundry, started a load of the girl's clothes, swept the kitchen, emptied the dishwasher, reloaded the dishwasher, put away Lily's toys, dressed Anna for bed, straightened the nursery, got dressed up for the formal event, and fed Anna.

Steve and Emily were super kind to watch the girls while we went to the play. James and I enjoyed the funny play a lot. It was our anniversary part two. :-)